BLACK WIDOW Director Cate Shortland Reveals Why Natasha Romanoff Didn't Receive A Funeral Like Iron Man

BLACK WIDOW Director Cate Shortland Reveals Why Natasha Romanoff Didn't Receive A Funeral Like Iron Man

A lot of MCU fans remain disappointed that Natasha Romanoff never received the same high-profile funeral as Tony Stark, and Black Widow director Cate Shortland has now explained the thinking behind that.

By JoshWilding - Jul 12, 2021 05:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Black Widow
Source: Variety

Like Iron Man, Black Widow made the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame when she jumped from the cliff in Vormir in order to secure the Infinity Stones for Earth's Mightiest Heroes. However, while Tony Stark received a funeral with pretty much everyone in attendance, poor Natasha Romanoff seemed largely forgotten. 

In Black Widow's post-credits scene [SPOILER WARNING], we learn that the hero has been buried in the American Midwest, but we never actually got to see a funeral for the fallen Avenger.

Talking to Variety, Black Widow director Cate Shortland addressed that head-on, saying: "Scarlett talked to me about it: Her character would have hated a public funeral. So I felt like the fact that she’s buried in a really private place, in the boondocks somewhere, is perfect."

"I know the reaction that fans had to Scarlett’s death," Shortland continued. "The fact that we got to see that moment between her and her sister, it means that to me, she is eternal, you know?"

It's definitely interesting to get some insight into why the fallout from Natasha's death was handled this way, and it's clear that the plan is to expand on Yelena's feelings about Black Widow's demise in Hawkeye. There, Clint Barton will likely be shown struggling with her death as well, and that means the hero's impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be felt for a long time to come. 

Hawkeye is expected to arrive on Disney+ later this year, of course, so we won't have too long to wait until we get to delve into the fallout from the first Phase 4 movie.

Keep checking back here for updates on Black Widow, including a breakdown of the best Easter Eggs later today!

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inkniron
inkniron - 7/12/2021, 5:29 AM
I mean, there is a grave in the boondocks but I highly doubt she'd be buried there.

But yeah, she would hate the spectacle.
heyy1
heyy1 - 7/12/2021, 6:32 AM
@inkniron - there is no body. It's just a tombstone
aresww3
aresww3 - 7/12/2021, 8:12 AM
@inkniron -

Tier ranking all comic book movies with Black Widow with Lantern Alex
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 7/12/2021, 8:39 AM
@inkniron - It wouldn't make any sense either. I don't know alot about the military, politics, or sociology but I don't think most governments will honor and parade an assassin or undercover agent's funeral to the public or masses. Remember, she was still a SHIELD assassin and undercover agent until the end of TWS.

To me she didn't start acting like a "nice" or trustworthy hero until Age of Ultron. Even after Avengers 1, she was still a cold-hearted loyalist to Shield and Nick fury until they disbanded in TWS.
inkniron
inkniron - 7/12/2021, 9:21 AM
@heyy1 - Yeah, kind of my point. Buried was her poor word choice. I pretty much assumed that the local bugs and wildlife took care of the cleanup.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 7/12/2021, 5:29 AM
We knew this. Russos said the same thing. They’re absolutely right.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 7/12/2021, 5:32 AM
Remember in Ultimates 3 when everyone watches a home-made sex tape of Tony and Natasha at a memorial service, as Natasha died in Ultimates 2, meaning Nat’s memory is being honored by watching her sex tape….


Disturbing times.
Shasvre
Shasvre - 7/12/2021, 5:33 AM
It's not like Tony's funeral was a big public affair either. It was mostly family and friends. Natasha deserved something similar.
Razorface1
Razorface1 - 7/12/2021, 6:11 AM
@Shasvre - Yeah, but did we really need two funeral scenes in an already long movie?
Shasvre
Shasvre - 7/12/2021, 7:14 AM
@Razorface1 - No, but we could have combined the two.
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 7/12/2021, 5:34 AM
Seems legit… I think they could’ve had Banner make a bigger deal about losing Natasha in Endgame but what’s done is done.
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 7/12/2021, 9:30 AM
@Waddles - I hope so.. it’d be an injustice to the random arc of Bruce and Nat being a thing if he never addresses it… and especially if they just bring back Betty Ross and Banner just goes back to that relationship with no emotional issues about Natasha. I hope they show some kind of response better than Hulk throwing a bench.
WeaponXCII
WeaponXCII - 7/12/2021, 5:35 AM
It might not have been what everyone wanted, but it definitely fits her character.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 7/12/2021, 5:44 AM
The specific location they chose didn't feel quite right to me though. But I agree a more private/secret place makes the most sense for her (even if her name and "Avenger" are on the gravestone).
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 7/12/2021, 6:38 AM

NOPE! Other than the Avengers, all Tony had was Pepper, his daughter, and Rhodey. It should've just been a joint funeral. Yelena, Red Guardian, and Melina, could've already been cast, and included in the Endgame funeral.

The bigger issue is the death itself. She essentially has to comitt suicide, so that her team can retrieve a McGuffin. Compared to Tony's sacrifice, her's felt underwhelming
soberchimera
soberchimera - 7/12/2021, 6:43 AM
I mean, Black Widow isn't supposed to be a public figure anyway, she's a spy. Putting her on the cover of magazines and making her a celebrity in the MCU completely disrupts the whole purpose and specialty of the character.
Pampero
Pampero - 7/12/2021, 6:48 AM
I'm thinking, they are a russian spy family in USA and their named the little girl as Yelena? No so subtle i guess.
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 7/12/2021, 7:25 AM
Anyone else think that Shortland could potential make a decent pick to helm the next Avengers movie? Based on the scenes with the family, she can do the fun interactions between multiple characters.
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